About this place
Bělohradská bažantnice is a protected nature monument on the eastern edge of Lázně Bělohrad, in the Jičín district of the Czech Republic, combining a former pheasant-park with adjacent wetland meadows of notable ecological value.
What is this place?
The site covers roughly 51 hectares, including a wooded park area and neighboring peat-bog meadows. It was declared a nature monument in 1998, covering part of the historic park forest and the surrounding meadows, safeguarding the distinctive vegetation that developed here over decades.
Where does the name "bažantnice" come from?
The name refers to the site's original purpose as a pheasantry — a hunting and game-breeding preserve where foresters deliberately planted trees suited for timber production and mowed the meadows to support hunting. As the nearby spa town grew, the pheasantry gradually evolved into a promenade park. Spa owners laid out new paths, maintained the natural springs, and planted ornamental trees, giving the area the parkland character it retains today.
What makes it ecologically important?
Although many of the habitats here were originally shaped by human activity, they have become an important refuge for rare plants and small animals over time. The cultural and semi-natural wetland meadows, together with the spa park, form a significant biocentre within the surrounding agricultural landscape — a green and wet oasis amid farmland.
What can visitors see in the park?
The area includes several small lakes and ponds, among them Black Lake and Black Pond, which are remnants of former peat and saline mud extraction once used for spa treatments. At the heart of the park stands a music pavilion, where promenade concerts are still held, echoing the spa tradition of leisurely walks accompanied by live music.
Why visit?
Bělohradská bažantnice offers a quiet walk through greenery, water, and layered history — from a royal-style pheasant preserve, through its transformation into a spa park, to its current status as a protected natural area. Its location right next to Lázně Bělohrad makes it easy to combine a visit here with a spa stay or with exploring the wider Jičín region.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bělohradská bažantnice? It is a nature monument comprising a park and peat-bog meadows on the eastern edge of Lázně Bělohrad, protected since 1998.
How large is the protected area? About 51 hectares, covering both the wooded park and the adjoining meadows.
Where does the name come from? From the site's original use as a pheasantry before it was transformed into a spa park.
What are the main features on site? A music pavilion hosting promenade concerts, along with ponds and small lakes such as Black Lake and Black Pond.
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